Indiana blew the doors off Kennesaw State on Saturday, rolling to a dominant 56–9 win in Bloomington. Most of the postgame buzz centered on Elijah Sarratt’s three-touchdown showcase and the Hoosiers’ bruising ground attack that eclipsed 300 rushing yards for the second week in a row. But hidden beneath the highlight reels was the steady, gritty performance of tight end Riley Nowakowski — a difference-maker who didn’t go unnoticed by his head coach.
“Yeah, he (Nowakowski) was the player of the game on offense, sort of an unsung hero, high effort, high character, gives you everything he’s got play in and play out, really dependable,” Curt Cignetti said during his Monday press conference. “Really played well Saturday. Scored a touchdown too. Caught a pass early. The effort on the reverse by him and others downfield was really nice to see, and good player.”
Nowakowski has begun to carve out the same reliable role that Zach Horton filled for Indiana a season ago. He’s the kind of tight end every coach wants — steady, selfless, and willing to do whatever it takes to keep the offense moving. On Saturday, that meant punching in a one-yard rushing touchdown and later hauling in a 14-yard reception. The box score may not tell the full story, but his fingerprints were all over Indiana’s explosive day, most notably on Omar Cooper’s 75-yard touchdown run.
“It was a reverse,” Cooper explained after the game. “We had some really good blocks, the (offensive) lineman did well, Elijah Sarratt secured the defensive end, and then both our tight ends, Holden Staes and Riley (Nowakowski), were both blocking downfield, so I really appreciate them, and they help get the job done.”
Nowakowski’s road to Bloomington has been anything but ordinary. A transfer from Wisconsin, he appeared in 40 games with 10 starts across five seasons for the Badgers, lining up not only at tight end but also at linebacker and fullback. That versatility — and his willingness to do the dirty work — made him a perfect fit for Indiana’s culture under Curt Cignetti.
That same mentality has carried over to Bloomington. His blocking on Omar Cooper’s long reverse touchdown was a game-changer, and his work throughout the afternoon set the tone for the Hoosiers’ offense. He’s not chasing stats — he’s chasing wins, embodying the kind of selfless play that Curt Cignetti has praised since his arrival.
Players like Nowakowski are the backbone of Indiana’s roster: dependable, physical, and team-first. And if Saturday’s performance is any indication, he’ll keep finding ways to leave his imprint on the Hoosiers’ season.